Blackpool Online
October 2006
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Former
Arnold School pupil Jonas Armstrong stole the heart of many a fair
maiden after switching on the Christmas lights at his old school.
The star actor is back in the Fylde for the festive season after
completing a gruelling six months of filming for the hit BBC1 drama.
And the 25-year-old said he was glad to be back on his old stomping
ground after taking on one of the toughest parts in his fledgling
career.
The Blackpool-born student was guest of honour for the annual event and
was greeted with applause from hundreds of children in the primary
school hall.
Afterwards,
Jonas said he was more nervous taking questions from the floor than
taking on the Sheriff of Nottingham during the 13-part series!
He said: "It was great but I must
say I was nervous walking back into the school hall again.
"It brings back a lot of
happy and not so happy memories for me. I loved being here and if it
wasn't for the drama teachers here, I wouldn't have got the part of
Robin.
"I've
been living in London for six years now so I am glad to be back in
Blackpool for a quieter Christmas.
"London is a party city so
it's nice for me to chill out after a busy year."
Jonas
arrived back on the Fylde a few weeks ago after six months filming in
Budapest, the setting
for Robin Hood.
As part of
the filming he had to wrestle and fight huge adversaries, who in his
own words, "pulled
no punches".
"I've
got to beef up a bit now for the next series," he added. "When you take
on a role like Robin Hood you have to be prepared for a few bumps and
bruises. It was tough, but it was fun, too."
He recently turned down
the part of Bobby Sands, one of the IRA hunger strikers, to return in
the next series of Robin Hood, which starts filming in March.
Pupils
said it was great to have a star of the small screen back at his old
hunting ground.
Lauren
Simkin, 10, said: "He
was better and much livelier than the usual celebrities we get here. It
has inspired me to work hard at my acting and dancing."
Harry
Spracklen, a prefect, 10, added: "It's really put me in the
Christmas spirit. He was taller than he looks on TV."
And
Victoria Matthews, nine, said: "It was good, our own bit
of Christmas magic. Like having a present come early."
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